COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course introduces the student to:

(1) the basic concepts of political science.
(2) the basic principles and history of the constitution.
(3) the structure, functions, and relations between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the national government.
(4) the relations between the national and state governments.
(5) current political and public policy issues.

Students are expected to be active participants in class by being prepared to discuss current topics pertaining to American National Government. Therefore, members should review websites, newspapers, magazines, journals, etc., that will facilitate this process.

Objectives

1. To gain a contextual understanding of major concepts and issues.
2. To encourage critical thinking about implications on an individual and societal level.
3. To develop effective group, written, and oral communications skills.

Textbooks (Required)
Squire, P., Lindsay, J.M., Covington, C.R., Smith, E.R.A.N. 2003. Dynamics of Democracy 3rd edition. Online or Paperback + Online Editions.

Lindsay, J.M. 2003. American Politics After September 11. Online or Paperback + Online Editions.

In addition students will need to have access to a computer and the internet.

TEACHING METHODS
Teaching methods involve class lectures and discussions as well as collaborations on oral and written work. Small groups will be formed in order to allow course participants to gain experience with “collective work” and to practice combining a variety of perspectives and skills in confronting issues, events, and personalities seen in the political arena. Homework will include online assignments and are based on readings in the textbook.

EVALUATION METHODS*
Final grades will be based on three exams, group papers and presentations, and a semester long series of online homework assignments.

Group Project Paper (A Collective Grade) 20%
Presentation (A Collective Grade) 10%
Homework Online Assignments 10%
*NOTE: No late work will be accepted under any conditions. This includes exams. However, if either of the first two exams are missed the following exam or quiz score will be counted as 80% in replacing a missing score. No student may miss more than one exam. No replacement grade will be given for the final exam. You are responsible for any and all announcements made in class.

Grading Scale
94 -100= A
90 - 93 = A-
87 - 89 = B+
84 - 86 = B
80 - 83 = B-
77 - 79 = C+
74 - 76 = C
70 - 73 = C-
60 - 69 = D
< 60 = F

Examinations
There will be three examinations in this course. The first exam will be approximately 1.25 hours in length of time and consist entirely of multiple choice questions. The second exam will also be approximately 1.25 hours in length of time and consist of multiple choice questions (50%) and short answer questions (50%). The final exam will be comprehensive, two hours in length of time, and consist of multiple choice and fill in the blank type of questions (50%) and short answer/essay questions (50%).

Group Projects
Students will be assigned to small groups. All groups will develop a 3-5 page paper on an assigned outside reading using Patterson’s format for Analytical Thinking as a guide.
Each week (usually on the last day of class for the week) an assigned group(s) will give a 10-15 minute presentation of their paper. Approximately 5 minutes will be allowed for comments and discussion. Groups must submit a hard copy of their paper one class period in advance to the instructor.

Homework
Students will complete a series of homework assignments. All of the assignments involve use of the internet. Homework instructions will be given out in class.

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Dr. William Albrecht
244 Alfred L. Dial Humanities Building

Office Hours
Monday 05:00 – 06:00
Tuesday 10:00 – 11:00
Thursday 10:00 – 11:00

And by Appointment

Contact Information
Voice: 521-6822
Fax: 521-6446
Email: william.albrecht@uncp.edu

NOTE: Any student requiring special assistance should notify the instructor at the beginning of the semester.

COURSE SCHEDULE
The course schedule lists the lectures, discussion topics and required readings for each week. This schedule also includes due dates for assignments and exams. The instructor reserves the right to alter the course schedule if necessary.
Week Dates Lectures/Readings/Class Discussions/Exams & Assignments Due
1 Aug 26 - Aug 28 Squire Chapter 01: Studying the Dynamics of DemocracyReading 2: The 2002 Election Surprise
2 Sept 09 - Sept 11 Squire Chapter 03: The Social Context of American PoliticsReading 1: America's New Cold War: An UpdateReading 19: Anti-Americanism & the War on Terrorism
3 Sept 16 - Sept 18 Squire Chapter 02: The constitutionReading 4: What Is Treason? John Walker Lindh & the U.S. ConstitutionReading 16: Not Washington's Job Alone: American States & the Terrorist Threat
4 Sept 23 - Sept 25 Squire Chapter 04: Civil LibertiesReading 6: The Pendulum Swings: Civil Liberties after September 11Reading 7: Racial Profiling Meets the War on Terrorism
5 Sept 30 - Oct 02 Squire Chapter 05: Civil RightsReading 5: The Middle East Is Us: Middle Easterners, Arabs, &Muslims in American LifeExam 1: October 2, 2003
6 Oct 07 - Oct 09 Squire Chapter 06: Public OpinionReading 10: Who Benefits? Public Opinion, Partisan Politics, and theConsequences of September 11
7 Oct 14 - Oct 14No Class Squire Chapter 07: Voting and ParticipationReading 8: Apathy and Interest: The American Public Rediscovers Foreign Policy
8 Oct 21 - Oct 23 Squire Chapter 08: The News MediaReading 9: The Unloved Trumpet: The News Media Report on the War on Terrorism
9 Oct 28 - Oct 30 Squire Chapter 10: Interest GroupsReading 11: Who Won & Who Lost? Interest Group Politics after September 11
10 Nov 04 - Nov 06 Squire Chapter 09: Political PartiesReading 3: Mandate Madness? The Republican Majority and the American Political AgendaExam 2: November 6, 2003
11 Nov 11 - Nov 13 Squire Chapter 11: CongressReading 12: Congress after September 11
12 Nov 18 - Nov 20 Squire Chapter 12: The PresidencyReading 13: The Bush Presidency after September 11
13 Nov 25 - Nov 25 Squire Chapter 13: The Federal BureaucracyReading 14: Solution or Sideshow? The New Department of Homeland Security
14 Dec 02 - Dec 04 Squire Chapter 14: The CourtsReading 15: Trying Terrorists: Military Commissions & the AmericanLegal SystemHomework Due: December 2, 2003
15 Dec 11 - Dec 11 Final Exam: 10:30 - 12:30